Chapter 48
“Come downstairs, dearest,” her aunt instructed her. Elizabeth was surprised by this, as it was less than an hour since her aunt had sent her to her bedchamber. The tears had been washed from her face, but her pale and sad expression meant she was not fit for company.
“Must I, Aunt?” Elizabeth asked.
“I think you must, but first let Molly help you to change your dress and fix your hair”.
Elizabeth consented to be dressed and readied for company, but she felt her aunt was being unusually cruel to require her to appear when her spirits were so broken.
Nevertheless, once she was readied, she allowed her aunt to guide her to the drawing room, and when she entered, she nearly fainted, for there stood Mr Darcy.
She looked to see her aunt, but she was departing the room.
“I am not engaged to Miss Bingley,” Mr Darcy began, and Elizabeth’s legs, which had threatened several times to weaken, did so now, and she would have fallen to the floor had not he caught her.
“My lovely Elizabeth, I love you, and I think that perhaps you love me too?” he said, and a smile transformed her face. A blush overtook her entire body, as he was holding her quite close.
“I do love you,” she replied, and with that, he kissed her, most passionately, and most improperly. It was therefore some minutes later, when a discreet cough from outside drew him away from her, that he remembered to continue.
“Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, please consent to be my wife,” he said, and on her assent, he kissed her again, and would have continued to do so if not for a very loud cough from her uncle as he entered the room.
Much congratulations followed, starting with her uncle, and then her aunt, and Mary, and after that, the whole story of Miss Bingley's perfidy was revealed. Mr Gardiner called for wine to mark the celebration and Mr Darcy consented to remain for dinner, but only if he could go to retrieve his sister from his aunt and uncle Matlock’s house.
He arrived with his sister, Miss Georgiana, who was a slight, shy young lady of sixteen.
Elizabeth was not long in drawing her out, and before the evening drew to a close, the two announced that they were always meant to be sisters, and it was good of Mr Darcy to bring them together.
In the course of the evening, Mr Darcy told of his shock at arriving at Longbourn to find Elizabeth gone.
He explained how, Mr Collins had directed him to be on after her without delay, an instruction which he had not dared to refuse.
And finally, how he had pushed his poor horse to exhaustion, and that he would be treated with many apples in the coming days.
After the party moved to the drawing room, and Mary and Georgiana went together to inspect the music and the piano, Mr Gardiner asked the question that had long been in Elizabeth’s thoughts.
“What became of Mr Wickham?” he asked, the story of Mr Darcy’s involvement having been shared with him by his brother Mr Bennet.
“He agreed to depart for the West Indies,” Mr Darcy said.
“I undertook to pay his passage and provide sufficient funds to survive. I felt that was the best way to be sure he was gone forever and that no word of what had occurred would ever surface.” Mr Gardiner praised the arrangement, and Elizabeth smiled at the intelligence of her betrothed.
The next day saw Elizabeth, Mary, their uncle, and Mr Darcy on their way back to Longbourn, with Mr Darcy’s horse delivered to his house in Mayfair to rest. They arrived to find a very happy family group, which included Mr Bingley.
Mr Bingley had, on the day of Mr Darcy’s departure, completed his proposal to Jane and been accepted.
The merry group all joined together that evening for dinner in Longbourn, accompanied by Mrs Willard.
“I hope you are not considering extending your lease,” Mr Bennet queried when the party all came together in the drawing room afterwards.
Mr Bingley, haltingly, indicated that he thought that he might.
“I am afraid that will not do, dear chap,” Mr Bennet said. “I have William quite trained up, and we are all eager to move to Netherfield at the end of your lease.”
“Move to Netherfield at the end of my lease?” Mr Bingley queried.
“Yes, I purchased the property some months back, and I really feel ready to get a handle it.
This final announcement was met with open mouths from Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy and laughter from everyone else.
Not long after, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy joined in this laughter.
Caroline Bingley was the only person not pleased with the news of the Bennet sisters' betrothals, but no one much cared for her opinion.
In any event, she was not long to retain the name of Bingley and was soon to become Viscountess Caroline after marrying the elderly Viscount Beresford.
The Bennet family stepped into their new future. Elizabeth and Mr Darcy had found the love that awaited them from their very first meeting. Mr Darcy looked forward to bringing his wife to Pemberley, where she would explore the lands that had brought him joy since childhood.
Jane and Mr Bingley looked to each other, as the adventure of their future home, which they would select together, awaited them.
And Mr and Mrs Bennet took each other's hands and looked at their family, which now included the son of their heart, William.
The future for their younger daughters was as yet unwritten, but they were sure that only love and happiness awaited them.
The End
Pride, Prejudice, and Plenitude: A Bennet Family Novel of Fortune and Fate.
In a world where the delicate balance of reputation, propriety, and fortune governs every aspect of society, the Bennet family of Longbourn finds itself on the brink of an extraordinary transformation—one that will test their character, challenge their assumptions, and redefine their place in the world.
At first glance, Longbourn is much as it has always been: a modest country estate, home to five unmarried daughters, an anxious mother, and a father whose wit often masks deeper concerns about the future.
The rhythms of rural Hertfordshire life continue uninterrupted—visits are paid, gossip is exchanged, and hopes are quietly nurtured for advantageous marriages.
Yet beneath this familiar surface, change is already in motion, set in motion by events far beyond the Bennets’ imagining.
While travelling toward London, the Prince Regent—accompanied by his retinue and the enigmatic Mrs Fitzherbert—falls suddenly ill.
Forced to seek immediate refuge, the royal party is obliged to accept the nearest suitable lodging: Longbourn itself.
What begins as an unexpected imposition swiftly becomes a moment of quiet consequence, as the Bennet household rises to the occasion with grace, discretion, and generosity.
Elizabeth Bennet, ever perceptive, observes the unfolding situation with a mixture of curiosity and composure, while Jane’s natural kindness soothes the anxieties of their distinguished guests.
Even Mrs Bennet—so often guided by nerves and social urgency—proves capable of remarkable composure when it is most required.
In the presence of true consequence, she discovers within herself a steadiness that surprises even those who know her best. Her attentions are well-judged, her hospitality sincere rather than ostentatious, and her conduct leaves a favourable impression upon their exalted guests.
In these uncertain days, the Bennet family reveals qualities not often credited to them—steadiness, dignity, and an innate sense of duty that leaves a lasting impression on those they serve.
Yet when the Prince Regent recovers and departs, the extraordinary visit fades quickly from local conversation.
The quiet village of Meryton returns to its usual concerns, and the arrival of a new tenant at Netherfield Park—Mr. Charles Bingley—once again captures the attention of the neighbourhood.
Balls are planned, introductions are made, and the familiar dance of courtship resumes.
To all appearances, the royal interlude has left no lasting mark.
But appearances are not always to be trusted.
Unknown to the Bennet family, their conduct during those critical days at Longbourn has not been forgotten.
The Prince Regent, deeply affected by their kindness and impressed by their unassuming dignity, resolves to reward them in a manner both generous and transformative.
Yet the execution of this reward is delayed, unfolding gradually and discreetly, its implications rippling outward in ways none of the Bennets could anticipate.
Thus begins a quiet shift in fortune—one that alters not only the family’s financial circumstances but also their standing, their relationships, and their understanding of themselves.
Click here to read on
Click here to read on
Read on now for a sample of Pride, Prejudice and Plenitude.
Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged…no, wait, that’s not where this story begins…
The hem of her dress was muddy again! She would have to change before joining her family for breakfast; it was an annoyance, but the only alternative was to remain indoors until the ground had completely dried, and Elizabeth could never have borne the hours indoors that would require.
She started, the clang of carriage wheels over the rough ground quite making her forget her ruined hems.